Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.

Straterra

Since my son was having violent outbursts on all the stimulant drugs...this is what he was prescribed. I understand it takes a few weeks to see if it is working.

Just wanted know others experience with this med? And if this one doesn't work where do we go from here?

I am reading "A New Earth" and listening to the classes.....I have gotten much better at asking him what he is feeling. Like the night he wanted to kill himself in his fit of rage...2 days later we discussed it and what he was feeling. Instead of telling him not to think those things or feel that way....I just let him tell me how he felt. At first he said, "I know I was just being stupid"......I said "rather than calling it stupid....that I was just really proud of him for expressing what he was feeling"....it seemed to just lift a burden off his shoulders.

I do this now when he gets out of control. Ask him what he is feeling. Don't negate it....listen...and give him a big hug for telling me how he feels. It does help. It does seem to give him some awareness to what he is feeling and why.

You're doing a wonderful thing. I've been doing that with my son for years, hes now 19 and a really good guy. Just being able to voice their feelings and be understood is one of the most important things. I think how these kids are lowers their self esteem. We all like being understood and accepted.

My son tried Straterra and unfortunately it didn't work for him. Everyone is different tho, in my sons case a stimulant is just what he needed and hes now taking Adderall Xr. It's really something how different people are on certain medications. What works for some doesn't for others and visa versa. In any case, I wish you luck with Straterra, I hope there's a good outcome for your son with it.

Thanks so much...yes some meds work wonders for some and others not. His school work was superior on the stimulant med...but the at home rage wasn't worth the good grades. We have to find something that is good for him on all levels.

And yes, I think we all feel misunderstood at times. With kids with challenges it is pronounced. I can see the relief when he can name how he feels, say why and have someone just listen. I can't tell him not to feel that way...or why he should feel differently....anymore than someone could tell me what and how I should feel.

my son was on straterra for a little over a year. he did ok on it, we had to keep going up on his dose and when we maxed out we had to go to adderall (7.5mg) we had the same problem with him on stimulants you are haveing so when we had to go back to the adderall it was scary. you know just waiting to see if it was going to do what it had done before. luckily since my son is 2years older than when we first tried this med. he has not had a bad reaction to it. hope this helps.

I had adult adhd and I am a special education teacher and most of my students are classified as having adhd. I know how they feel: unorganized, unable to focus, bouncing all the time and feeling tired from doing so. The best way to describe adhd is to say: your brain is trying to stay focused and slow down, which makes your brain work harder and faster. Thus tired from doing so.

I was on Straterra for awhile. It worked but the effects wore off and I needed to be on higher and higher doses. Finally, I was put on adderal and it worked. But, it caused my blood pressure to go sky high and had to stop.
Keep hugging and being understanding.

Hi Kim...my son didn't have much luck on Strattera...however...as you know that doesn't mean your son won't!!! We are in the middle of changing meds now!!
And there isn't enough that I can say about listening to our kids!! :o) I will sit and not say a word...let them get it all out!! It is hard sometimes to not want to FIX everything for them...but letting them learn that they can have feelings and it is ok is GREAT!! Keep up the wonderful Mommy work!! :o) cyn

My 9yr. old son has just been diagnosed with ADHD-I but also has an anxiety disorder and depression. Due to his high agitation level, they are recommending Strattera. We have an appointment next week to discuss it more... I'll let you know how it goes... This has been a rough journey and we've only began... Our youngest daughter seems to have ADHD-C and we will look into having her assessed in the fall, until then, we all have to find ways to cope... Any advice? Hugs, lylajean

Strattera combined with Prozac worked wonders for my daughter! It took some experimenting with the dose and the combination though. On Adderall she became depressed and told us all the time she &quot;Just wanted to die.&quot; She was 4 at the time! The best advice I got from her doctor was to trust your &quot;mommy instinct&quot; on whether or the med is working. It can't hurt to try something new or a diferent dose, it can only make things so much better for the whole family!

Yes, the mommy instinct is powerful. Scary, but powerful. Personally, I wish it wish it would just send me an e-mail letting me know what is best.

The drug so far has been fine and getting better..we are on day 4.

My son also suffers from severve eczema...I am not looking forward to spring and summer as these are awful months for him. But until we could get this under control we could not get him diagnosed for ADD....

Because of the eczema, Jack misses out on many of the regular activities that most parents take for granted...like recess. Recess can send us to the emergency room. So my husband goes to his school 3 days a week to monitor his recess to make sure Jack is not on the grass.

I had e-mailed the counselor at the school asking if after the last major rage fit if we should seek some outstide counseling. She basically e-mailed back that we were not allowing Jack to be independent enough to feel like a normal kid because his dad comes for recess.

A light bulb went on in my head. He feels like he is not a normal kid, because he is not. He was told by his teachers that he was falling behind.....and due to his eczema it prevents him from playing football and baseball which he really wants to do. He can't even play with the other kids on the grass at recess!

Maybe instead of telling him that what he feels is &quot;wrong&quot; is acknowledge it. Let him express it. When we did a process of that tonight....he gave me a big kiss....because I think he felt like someone finally understood.

Its a long and draining process. But I would give up any organ for him...so some stress, tension and frustration I guess is ok.

I miss traveling with my husband. Has anyone found a specific site regarding cruising for widow/widowers or any sightseeing trips. Not interested in being with couples and kids,,,I realize a cruise ship will have a portion size of families and couples, but perhaps they also put together a part of the cruise ship for groups of widows/widowers????

A friend sent this to me..As far as I can see, grief will never truly end.It may become softer overtime, more gentleand some days will feel sharp.But grief will last as long as Love does - ForeverIt's simply the way the absence of your loved onemanifests in your heart. A deep longing accompaniedby the deepest Love some days. The heavy fog mayreturn and the next day, it may recede.Once again, it's...

All content posted on this site is the responsibility of the party posting such content.
Participation on this site by a party does not imply endorsement of any other party's content,
products, or services. Content should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.